What is the meaning of Galatians 4:10-11?

Question

"You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain."

Answer 1

The word days probably refers to Sabbaths or special feasts. Months and Seasons pertain to longer observances, such as the celebrations between the Passover and the Day of Pentecost. Years indicates the Year of Jubilee, the fiftieth year in which slaves were to be freed, family lands returned to their original owners, and the land left fallow (see Lev. 23-25). The Jews commemorated all these feasts in order to please God. Paul says in the next verse that all of these things were done to please God, but didn't really please God because they were simple works rather than from the heart. He's frusterated because everything he had been telling them about the unimportance of works alone was going through one ear and out the other.

Answer 2

Hi Lover of Bible truth. When God (speaking through Paul) say's "You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain." He was warning that the church at Galatia was returning to a false gospel of works instead of grace. The days, months, years and seasons were the feasts or festivals that were practiced in the Old Testament.

But,for us to understand what God is telling us in Galatians 4:10-11 we need to read Galatians 4:8-20. In Galatians 4:8-11 God tells us:

" Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you."

When God speaks of 'gods' in this passage He is speaking about the Godhead, (Colossians 2:8-10) that is the Father, Son and Holy Sprit as one (Isaiah 9:6). There is only one God and no others (Mark 12:32, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:5)

In Galatians 4:16-18 God tells us how the Church at Galatia had started following Paul as though he were Jesus Christ Himself:

"Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?"

This is true in churches today where people are following a religous leader instead of following God. These are false gospels and are not true to God. Much like the church at Galatia had become.

Answer 3

That we have taken on pagan holidays and days of worship and incorporated them into our Christian beliefs and customs, that the Lord did not tell us to do, nor was the "old" ways nailed to the Cross. The only thing that was nailed to the Cross, was; The practices that the Sanhedrin's had added to the practices of the Laws of Moses. Such as Christmas, Easter, and Sabbath worship, and others. The ones that are put into practice nowadays, people have not truly studied the Bible and and the history of them and found out their orgins. But, they are quick to tell you that, they were all nailed to the Cross. Or they don't go by the Old Testament; when Jesus and the Disciples always did, when they were referring anyone of importance. So Why makes us better then them to not read and study the whole Bible? If you actually set down and 1st asked the Lord to guide you and ask for His wisdom, He will show you the truth.

Answer 4

The Galatians were still observing the Old Law, the days, months, seasons, and years were a part of that.
He was afraid for them because they were going back to a righteousness based on the law instead of on Christ.

Answer 5

Reading verse 8 and 9, Paul is distraught that the Galatians have returned to the ways they once were. They were not days like observances of Christmas and Easter but rather pagan holidays of their ancestry.

Remember that the Epistles are written to certain churches, generally in regard to things they were doing wrong and some they were doing right but mostly wrong or not at all.

Answer 6

When some Christians began to practice religious customs that did not please God, Paul asked: “How is it that you are turning back again to the weak and beggarly elementary things and want to slave for them over again? You are scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that somehow I have toiled to no purpose respecting you.” (Galatians 4:8-11)

We must make sure that we avoid religious holidays and other customs that violate God’s principles. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) For instance, Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) Is your religion involved in ceremonies and holidays that violate the principle of neutrality toward this world’s affairs? Or do adherents of your religion sometimes share in customs and festivals that may involve conduct matching that described by the apostle Peter? He wrote: “The time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct, lusts, excesses with wine, revelries, drinking matches, and illegal idolatries.”—1 Peter 4:3.

Answer 7

I don't know for sure, but I am assuming the Galatians had been followers of heathen practices which involved Feast Days which honored Pagan gods.

When Paul first showed them the truth, they were so joyful to be out from under all those trappings, but if they have quit meeting together and practicing the sayings Paul taught them, they are quite likely slipping back to the old ways out of habit.

Hmmmmmm...sounds like us when we stop going to church.

Answer 8

Back up to verse 8.Paul said they wer once in bondage to those who wer no gods, meaning paganism, so understanding that we can see a little clearer as to way Paul in verse 11 was afraid his labor was in vain. he taught these people to leave pagans was and traditions and months days and years,but they returned to them, therefor his labor was in vain.

Reminds me of christians who want to celebrate Christmas and proclaim Jesus is the reason for the season. Sorta makes Pauls labor in vain doesn't it?

Answer 9

Paul was warning the Galatians about becoming religious. Making to many rules and regulations which caused a hardship on the people of the Church. Much like what is done today by denominations. Jesus said, "Father God wants your heart, not your religion".

Answer 10

If you read the verses above it it points out that they are acting like those who serve false gods in observing acts and deeds of religion. So those who had come to receive the truth were trying to incorporate false doctrines with this truth. Which only brought bondage for the people